Google introduces physical security key

To provide the strongest defence against phishing, Advanced Protection goes beyond traditional 2-Step Verification. You will need to sign into your account with a password and a Physical Security Key: Google

In order to protect journalists, business leaders and member of political campaign teams at higher risk of being targetted by hackers, Google has rolled out an Advanced Protection Programme.

This programme includes a physical “Security Key” that replaces other forms of two-factor authentication (2FA).

“To provide the strongest defence against phishing, Advanced Protection goes beyond traditional 2-Step Verification. You will need to sign into your account with a password and a Physical Security Key,” Google wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.

Other authentication factors, like codes sent via SMS or the Google Authenticator app, will no longer work.

“This will replace and disable other forms of authentication like SMS and the Google Authenticator app,” the post added.